SKUNKY SWAMP THINGS HEAT UP!

Skunk Cabbage is my favorite "swamp thing" of the waning days of winter. This amazing plant is now emerging through the frozen mud and cold soil of fertile wetlands throughout southern Michigan. These photos are all from March 2nd at the Ortonville State Recreation Area just a few miles north of my house. Although parts of the plant are considered toxic to eat, Native Americans used skunk cabbage for pain, swelling and muscle aches. But what I find most fascinating is the fact this plant is thermogenic. Thermogenic?Thermogenic plants have the ability to create heat above the ambient temperature. The top photo shows the result of heat production perfectly as one pushes through remnant snow! Research shows bursts of intense metabolism can heat the yellow flower spike (spadix) within the purplish shell like spathe as much as 30 degrees above ambient temperature. A finger gently inserted into the spathe can detect warmth on cold days. A spadix peeks out of the spathe in the final photo in a cluster of spathes next to newly green moss.

Come summer the leaves of this swamp loving heat generator can be as large as elephant ears. And why the name skunk cabbage? Crush or tear a mature leaf and your nose will tell you why.

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About Me

Jonathan Schechter, a naturalist and resident of Brandon Township with a passion for outdoor adventure and severe weather events writes a weekly hiking column for the Oakland Press. He lives on 11 acres with a rich mix of wildlife, meadows, woods and wetlands. He has a Master of Science Degree in Forest Resources from the U. of Washington and is an active member of the Wilderness Medical Society certified in Advanced Wilderness Life Support. His writings and nature photos reveal ways humans are subtly yet dynamically altering the behavior of wildlife leading to a corruption of nature's way and wildlife behavior. Join his Earth Almanac blog as Jonathan shares thoughts on our natural world in Oakland County and beyond.